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"Milia!"
I heard Malakai's voice echo through the house as I dashed down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. Tears blurred my vision as I fumbled with my keys, desperately trying to get away from him. My hands shook uncontrollably, and I could barely breathe.
"I-I have to get to work. I'll see you later, baby," I stammered, hoping to escape before he caught up to me. My fingers trembled as I tied my shoes, the laces slipping through my grip. Just as I reached for the door, I heard his footsteps behind me.
Malakai appeared, his shirtless form coming from the top of the stairs, his curly hair a mess. Fear clawed at my throat as I whispered, "Malakai, please, I have to get to work."
He took a few slow, deliberate steps toward me, his dark eyes filled with anger. "You leave when I tell you to fucking leave!" he barked, his voice sharp and cutting through the air.
"Malakai, please," I begged, my voice cracking. "I can't be late or I'll lose my job. I have to go."
He reached out and grabbed my arms, yanking me closer.
His grip was tight, and I winced in pain from my already bruised arm.
"You better be back here at eight, and not a fucking minute later, or I swear, Miliaβ" he raised a finger threateningly, and I flinched, my whole body tensing up. "You'll regret it."
I nodded quickly, my head bobbing like a puppet on a string. "O-okay. I'll be back, I swear it."
Malakai's expression softened into a smile. He smoothed down my scrubs and patted my shoulders. "Okay, I'll see you tonight, sweetheart." He leaned in and kissed my forehead, making my skin crawl.
I forced a smile, turned around, grabbed my bag, and walked out the door, tears streaming down my face. The cold air hit me and I realized I forgot my jacket, but I didn't stop. I just kept walking, each step taking me further from the suffocating presence of Malakai.
??Β°
By the time I reached work, my tears had dried, but my spirit felt broken.
I pulled down the car mirror, staring at my reflection.
My eyes were red and puffy, the bruise on my neck showed against my skin.
I tried to cover it with makeup, but it felt futile.
The physical marks were nothing compared to the ones he left on my heart.
As I sat there, I thought about how much things had changed. When we were sophomores in college, Malakai was everything I had ever wanted. He was kind, attractive, and full of life. But over the past year, that man had vanished, replaced by someone I didn't recognize.
Malakai and I were curled up on the couch, watching a movie together. It was a quiet night, one of those peaceful moments we shared.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," he said suddenly, getting up and heading upstairs. I nodded, my attention was still on the screen.
Then his phone started ringing on the coffee table. "Malakai, your phone isβ" I reached over to pick it up, my voice trailing off when I saw the name flashing on the screen:
My heart dropped, a heavy weight settling in my chest. I stood up, holding his phone in disbelief. My fingers trembled as I unlocked it and went straight to his messages. I couldn't stop myself. There, in front of me, was a string of messages between Malakai and Kara.
As I strolled up, I saw that they'd been messaging for the past three months. How haven't I ever noticed this? All the time he'd said he was leaving to hang with his friends. It was all a lie? I felt my heart shatter as I stared at the screen, unable to tear my eyes away from the betrayal.
"Baby, what'd you sβ"
I looked up to see Malakari staring at me, his phone in my hand, the look on his face confirming everything.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I whispered, "After five fucking years, Malakai? Really?"
He stepped forward, his expression hardening. "Why the fuck do you have my phone?"
I couldn't believe his audacity. "Really, Malakai? That's what you're going to ask me?" My voice was shaking, filled with both rage and hurt.
He reached for his phone, but I instinctively put it behind my back, keeping it away from him. "Who the fuck is Kara?" I demanded, my voice rising.
Malakai lunged for the phone, trying to grab it from behind my back. "Give me my fucking phone, Milia!"
"No!" I screamed, refusing to let him take it without an explanation.
Without warning, Malakai shoved me onto the sofa. He grabbed my wrist, twisting it painfully until I cried out. He snatched the phone from my hand, holding onto my wrist, "Don't touch what's not yours." He hissed.
He let go, and I clutched my wrist, tears streaming down my face. "Fuck you, Malakai! I'm leaving," I said, my voice breaking as I stood up, ready to walk out of the door and out of his life.
But before I could take a step, Malakai grabbed me by the back of my hair and yanked me back. "You're not going anywhere," he growled.
"Malakai, you're hurting me," I pleaded, hoping he would let go.
Instead, he jerked me harder and threw me to the ground. I stared up at him in complete disbelief, my body shaking with fear and pain. This wasn't the man I knewβthis was someone else entirely.
I began scooting backward on the floor, trying to put some distance between us. My heart raced as he stared down at me. "Where the fuck do you think you're going?" He asked, and I couldn't even answer. "Let me show you what will happen if you ever try to leave me!" Malakai shouted.
He lunged toward me, his hands wrapping around my neck.
"Malakai, no!"
I heard a soft knock on my window, pulling me back to reality.
I turned my head to see Sawyer McCoy standing there, his familiar grin lighting up my mood a bit.
He was the older brother of my best friend, Sienna McCoy, and while I loved Sienna more than anything, Sawyer had always been a part of my world too.
Sawyer had been there for me through thick and thin, especially during nursing school.
I couldn't have done it without him. He's a neurologist now, the second director of his department, and the smartest person I know.
I often thought back to high school, when he had the biggest crush on me.
But I'd always seen him like a brother, and could never cross that line.
Still, he was important in my life, always supportive and caring.
I wiped my tears away, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car with a smile, but as I approached him, I could see the concern in his eyes. "Milia, please don't tell meβ" he started, but I shook my head, grabbing my bag.
"Sawyer, please, not right now," I said, trying to brush it off.
"Milia, did he touch you again?" he asked, worry etched on his face.
I shook my head, lying through my teeth. "No, Sawyer, he didn't." But I could feel the truth bubbling up inside me, the pain in my shoulder reminding me of everything.
I started to walk toward the hospital, but Sawyer grabbed my arm, and I winced at the pain. He looked down and his eyes widened at the bruise on my shoulder. "Milia, please. I know someone who knows a great lawyer. He always takes cases like this and he wins every single time."
I let out a shaky laugh, "Sawyer, we are fine, I promise."
He frowned, crossing his arms. "I swear, when Sienna finds out, she's gonna flip her shit."
I rolled my eyes, "That's why you're not going to tell her."
"Yeah, we'll see about that. I'll talk to you later," he said, putting on his white coat before walking away, leaving me alone.
"Shit!" I whispered, taking a deep breath I took a deep breath before I walked into the hospital and headed toward my boss's office. "Hey, Mrs. K, what do you have for me today?" I asked, trying to shake off the heaviness in my heart.
"Hi, Milia," she replied, smiling as she stood up and handed me a file.
I opened it, and she said, "Patient's name is Wyatt Buckley. He's a bull rider, and today he was thrown off a bull. His head collided with a metal gate. He suffered a minor concussion, a broken arm, and he sprained his ankle a bit."
My eyes widened. "Woah. I've been here eight months, and that's the craziest thing I've heard yet."
"Yeah, these young cowboys are something else," she chuckled.
I laughed too, shaking my head as I walked away. I searched for Wyatt's room, and when I walked in, I saw a tall guy with dark brown hair standing by the window.
"Sir, I don't think you're supposed to be up," I said, trying to sound authoritative.
He turned around, and I was met with the most captivating green eyes, framed by a beautiful face with a bandage on his forehead. He also had a cast and sling on his arm. My heart fluttered, and I clutched the folder tighter, unable to look away.
"Sorry, Miss. I just ain't used to sittin' on my behind for too long," he said, his southern accent making me smile.
"Maybe not sitting on your behind is what got you here in the first place," I joked, then immediately covered my mouth. "Oh, IβI'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It was very unprofessional."
He stared at me blankly for a moment before he let out a soft laugh. I felt a warmth spreading through me, a giddy feeling I hadn't had in a while. I could feel a small wetness run down my leg, and my cheeks heated up at my own reaction. His smile showed pearly white teeth that made my heart race.
"No biggie. My meemaw always told me I'm hard-headed, and I guess I just proved her right," he said, and I couldn't help but grin.
"Yeah, you did," I replied, both of us chuckling at the situation. The laughter faded into a comfortable silence, and then he extended his hand.
"I'm Wyatt," he said.
I stared down at his hand, feeling the warmth radiate off him. "Milia," I said, shaking his hand, lost in the moment.
"A pretty name for a pretty gal," he said, holding my hand a little longer than necessary. My heart raced, and I suddenly felt guilty thinking about how Malakai would react if he knew. The thought made me laugh nervously.
"Okay, um, how about we get you back in bed?" I suggested, trying to redirect my thoughts.
Wyatt nodded, and I gently placed my hand on his back to help him walk back to the bed. He winced as he moved, and I felt a small bit of sympathy for him. Once he settled back onto the sheets, I pulled the cover over him with a small blanket.
"Thank you." He said.
"You're welcome," I replied, smiling.
As I observed him for a moment, I noticed the tattoos that decorated his arms, a patchwork of colors and designs that I was curious to know the stories behind. I then looked up, seeing he caught me staring.
"You like what you see?" he asked with a teasing grin, raising an eyebrow.
I felt my cheeks flush. "Oh no... I mean yes, but no. I was just looking at your tattoos," I stammered, flustered.
He rolled up his sleeve, revealing even more ink. "Well, if you wanted to see 'em, all you had to do was ask, Miss Milia."
My heart raced at the way he said my name, his voice smooth and teasing. I realized I needed to put some distance between us before I lost my composure. "Right.. Wyatt, I'm going to go get you some food, okay?" I said, trying to sound casual.
"Sounds good," he said, his eyes still on me as I backed away.
Once outside his room, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I couldn't help but smile as I walked down the hallway towards the cafeteria.